Cut it out: Summer's latest dress trend

One of my biggest shopping pet peeves is finding what appears to be a perfect work dress, then pulling it off the rack only to discover that it's backless, has a crazy neckline or is filled with holes.

This seems to be happening a lot lately, as dresses with cut-outs are becoming really popular for summer. And at first, I was thoroughly annoyed by it. Why would you have a short-sleeved, crew-neck, full-skirted polka dot dress - one that's almost overly demure in every aspect - with a gaping hole in the back, so large that it's impossible to even wear a bra?

After a bit of re-evaluation, and now that I've grown to prepare myself for the possibility that an item of clothing may not be at all what it seems, I like the idea that it doesn't always have to be your legs or your chest attracting the attention when you want to show a little more skin. Some ladies have boy-ish shapes but truly amazing abs, and I'm glad designers have arrived at the notion that other parts of our bodies might be worth showing off.

That said, a cut-out dress is only appropriate in a handful of situations, unless you buy carefully. First, remember that cut-outs do not belong in the workplace, nor do keyholes larger than a softball or items on which the entire back is covered only with sheer fabric or lace. If you want to get in on this trend but need something that works for the office as well as the weekend, choose a style you can wear a cardigan with to cover the holes. There are two things to look for here: that the cut-outs are placed on the dress such that they can be covered, and that the dress looks good with a cardigan over it. Bring one with you when you shop to test this out.

A great example is the Hexagon dress from Madewell. It's got one cut-out on the lower back, just large enough that you would need to cover it for the office, but the shape of the dress and placement of the cut-out are such that adding a belted cardigan would make for a chic, workplace-appropriate outfit. Then, for a weekend brunch or nighttime drinks on a patio, it's the perfect blend of sassy and classy.

Wearing something under a cut-out dress to cover skin in a more formal situation is, in my opinion, the wrong way to go. Dresses should be fitted enough that a shirt or camisole underneath makes you look lumpy.

Let's say you're not at all concerned with whether you can wear this cut-out dress to the office, and you just want one for weekend and evening wear. Retailers like H&M and Topshop have really been jumping on the trend, so you should be able to find a cute one at a price that isn't unreasonable considering the limited potential of the dress. Hone in on your best areas before you shop. In the example above, I mentioned abs - if, for instance, you have great tone on your oblique muscles, you want a dress with horizontal cut-outs at your natural waist to show them off. If you're not as comfortable with your body, an upper or lower back cut-out could be the way to go.

Regardless of where those holes are placed, it is still not a free pass for your bra to show. Most retailers stock all kinds of convertible bras, and it can be as simple a fix as buying an extender strap. If you're going to need to buy a whole new undergarment for what is likely a fairly casual dress, consider whether it's worth it, and make sure you've got room in your budget.

In addition, it is critically important that you never, ever buy a cut-out dress that is too tight. You know when you make shapes with Play-Doh and it sort of oozes out the edges when you stuff it into the mold? That's fun for Play-Doh, but not so fun for skin. Most dresses I've seen with cut-outs are made from breezier fabrics like cotton or linen, which shouldn't be too snug anyway.

Finally, wear sunscreen if you're going to be outside, or you really will look like a (wo)man-o-lantern by the end of the summer.